Sometimes I feel odd posting recipes with alcohol in them because I am not legal. Sure, I am legally considered an adult, but I can not legally drink alcohol. And trust me, I don’t. You will never catch me with a margarita, spiked coffee, beer or even a glass of wine. I am being 100 percent honest when I say I do not drink. I have never even had a drink, unless you count those teensy tinesy sips of my dad’s beer that he would let me have when I was young.

Oh, I thought I was so cool when he would let me do that. Especially, if there were other people around. I mean they really were just the tiniest sips, but it made me feel all grown up and ahead of my years.

The truth is, I have always been ahead of my years. Too mature for my age. My entire life (even when I was a little baby, toddler and pre-schooler) people called me an old soul, which honestly freaks me out, but I must admit, it seems to fit.

Since I am being totally honest here, I decided that I would not drink in seventh grade when my friends were starting to dabble with the idea. I have older brothers, older brothers who did stupid things. I know what drinking can lead to and I know my personality. I like to know that my brain is my brain and it is not being influenced by any kind of substance. It is kind of like letting a good friend influence your decisions. I would not do that, I want to make decisions based on me and my needs, not those of someone or something else.

Does that make any sense at all?

With all that said, I absolutely LOVE cooking and baking with some booze!

For one, it is fun, but most importantly it adds great flavor. Bourbon makes one awesome glaze for corn fritters, irish cream is a great for doughnut fillings, beer braises some amazingly good pork, tequila makes some dang good chicken and is really great in doughnut glaze, frosting and filling too!

Okay, so I guess I really like some good booze in my eats…..

So what I am saying is, who cares if I am only nineteen?

Not me, not parents and hopefully not you guys.

Truthfully, I am mature to the point of being seriously boring. No, really I am so boring. Probably the most boring nineteen-year old you’ll ever meet. I have already graduated from college, worked in the exciting city of Los Angeles for a summer (six days a week, not the un-boring – I have a life – five days) yet somehow managed to never even be tempted by the “LA scene”. So much so that I decided it, even as glamorous as it was, that it wasn’t for me. I even have a decent savings, I mean what 19 year old has a decent savings? I know I should be out enjoying some of my hard earned loot but truthfully, this blog is way more important to me, even if it is pretty much non-stop twenty-four seven. My hope is, that this blog has added value to your eating habits. I also hope that it continues to do so for quite some time.

So, why am I telling you all this? I am being brutally honest because I have felt a little weird (and even more so because some of you have actually inquired) about posting recipes with alcohol in them and felt it was time to address the issue. For the most part, the amount of alcohol I am using my recipes is very minimal, unless it is a dish like the pulled pork carnitas, where there is a whole beer, but most of the beer cooks off during the 10 hours of cooking (seriously, by that time there is practically no alcohol left). And for this tequila soaked watermelon, I am also cooking the tequila first, granted not for very long though.

Okay, okay, okay.

Enough said on that subject, and enough seriousness! Let’s get to the stuff and have some fun!

K? Cool!

First let’s just talk about the tequila soaked watermelon-mango salsa.

Basically, it is just how is sounds. I soaked the watermelon for 30 minutes in a tequila simple syrup and it made for the very best salsa around. I mean SO good. Slightly sweet, completely refreshing and so flavorful. It is seriously, amazing! But of course if you are not into using tequila at all than the tequila can most definitely be left out.

No harm done, it is totally up to you.

If you like a little alcohol, I recommend it!

The sweet and refreshing watermelon and the mango + the coconut lime mahi mahi are just out of this world. The flavor combos are so simple, but so good! I mean coconut lime mahi mahi! Awe, it is just awesome and come on, how good does that sound with the tequila watermelon salas?!?

It is like summer’s perfect all-star taco and it’s easy peasy!

The only reason I am saying the meal takes 40 minutes it because you need to give the watermelon a little time to soak, otherwise it’s pretty quick. Just crisp up your taco shell in the oven (if using soft shells then just skip this step all together), grill or sear the fish, toss the salsa together and grab some cream cheese.

Yes, cream cheese. Just do it, it is so good!

Oh and if you’re not into mahi mahi you could totally do this with any white fish, shrimp or probably even salmon too!

I obviously can not control my excitement about the tacos. Maybe I am not as mature as I thought….. Nope, I am just crazy excited about these!

Instructions

Make the salsa. Place the watermelon in a medium size bowl. Bring the sugar, water and tequila to a boil in a small saucepan. Cook, stirring until sugar dissolves, about 1 minute. Let cool slightly. Pour syrup over watermelon cubes and toss well. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes while you make the tacos. (You can skip this step and just leave out the tequila, water and sugar when making the salsa)

Invert a regular-sized muffin tin. Working with four tortillas at a time, microwave them for 1-2 minutes. Quickly brush with just a little of the seasoned coconut oil and then fold the tortillas gently and prop up between the bottom of 4 muffin cups. Bake at 450ºF for 5-7 minutes or until crisp and lightly browned. Repeat with remaining tortillas. You may also use a taco mold or just very carefully drap the tortillas over your oven rack.

Heat the grill, grill pan or large frying pan to medium-high heat.

Brush the Mahi Mahi with the remaining the seasoned coconut oil and grill or pan fry for 3 to four minutes per side. Remove, peel the skin away, chop into chunks and then drizzle with the remaining 1 tablespoon of melted coconut oil and lime juice.

After 30 minutes remove the watermelon from the tequila and place in a clean bowl. Add the mango, jalopeno, green onions, basil, lime juice, salt and pepper. Toss well.

To assemble the tacos spread a little cream cheese on the bottom of each taco shell, then fill with the flaked or chopped mahi mahi. Top with sliced avocado and the watermelon-mago salsa.

And your bit about alcohol and cooking…refreshing honesty and you went over and beyond the call in explaining yourself. I remember when I graduated college at 20 and I wasnt even legal to have a celebratory drink in the restaurant we went to after the commencement ceremony. Surreal. I love the way you cook – don’t change a thing 🙂

as much as I like spiked beverages AND foods AND popsicles, I’m a total lightweight. booze really is best in moderation! way to be so fiscally responsible! I cannot say that I was even close to having any savings at 19, ha!

Tieghan, I am totally amazed at your ability to cook, and write for someone so young! Your honesty too, is something to be proud of! Don’t ever change! Thank you for all the time you take with your postings. I look forward to reading all of them!

I can’t believe you’re only 19. You’ve got some mad kitchen skills! Good for you staying away from alcohol. It’s great that you’re mature and responsible enough to make good decisions! As for your tacos, these flavors sound terrific! I love the coconut lime combo especially.

Totally repeating what everyone else has already said but I’ve never thought it was weird that you use alcohol (actually, I’m Canadian and the legal drinking age here is 19, I’ve always thought that 21 is ridiculous!) and I think you should keep on cooking the way you do because everything you make always sounds amazing, including these tacos!

I don’t do fish, so unfortunately, as amazing as this recipe looks and sounds, it may need a little modification on my end. But what I wanted to say was I had no clue you were only 19. You truly are wiser than your years, and I can relate to always feeling older. As a kid, I would’ve much rather talked to my mom’s friends than some of their kids that were my age. I just couldn’t relate and still really can’t. As an almost 30-y/o, I feel like I’m finally at the age I’ve been meaning to live forever. You are so lucky to already be a graduate with a good amount of savings and life under your belt! You have so much ahead of you! And ps, i LOVE boozey food… amazing!

I’m from Canada and the drinking age in my province is 19 years old so I didn’t give it a thought when your recipe called for tequila. Since I don’t drink, I’d omit it but my non-drinking status is the non-judgmental variety. Especially because you sound like you have a very good head on your shoulders, and well, 3 tablespoons of tequila will hardly result in a young adult going wingnut in the streets.

Thanks so much, Laura! What a nice comment. I do not drink any drinks, the most I do is 3 tablespoons, unless I am baking and the recipe call for more, but then I figure it is all getting baked out anyway!

I started my blog when I was 19. At the time, I was in Ireland, so it was legal to drink. However, I only did social drinking when I had to. I’ve never been a huge party goer, even throughout college. To be honest, I probably get along more with people older than me than people my age. Im an old soul too 😀 I do enjoy going to breweries and having good beer with dinner. That’s about the only alcohol I consume anymore.

These look so delicious! When I was ‘under age’ it frustrated me so much because I couldn’t make really good beef stew without red wine since I looked about 16 when I was 20, there was no way someone was going to let me buy any! No judgement on tequila salsa from me.

That is a fabulous combination! Thanks so much for coming to share at Super Saturday Show & Tell last week! I hope you’ll come back again today and party again… http://www.whatscookingwithruthie.com! xoxo~ Ruthie

I CANNOT wait to make these – way to go, girl!! And PS, I think you’re fabulous 🙂 I just found your blog and what a mature gal you are at the ripe old age of 19. Let me say, as an LA-er, that scene is totally overrated! Can’t wait to keep up with all your recipes! xx Marisa

Tieghan, we live overseas, so some of the ingredients we can either not get, or they are ridiculously expensive, like fresh watermelon and I assume that would be coconut oil in the olive oil aisle? that is expensive also, but if that is what is needed, then I guess we got to get it. But I can’t wait to try it, mangos are also expensive here. No break for those residing in the military overseas unfortunately, but I have lots of fresh mahi mahi right now, so your recipe will be made. And i can make lots of drinks with tequila!

Yes, I just tried them a few weeks ago. I never made any kind of fish tacos before, but it was pretty easy and they were delicious!!! Definitely recommend this recipe 🙂 The only thing I had trouble with was the salsa… mine had too much liquid. I probably should have strained and put it in a new bowl to serve.

Meet Tieghan Gerard.

I’m Tieghan, the recipes you’ll find here are inspired by the people and places I love most. I try to live simply, eat seasonally, and cook with whole foods. My hope is to inspire a love for amazing food, as well as the courage to try something new!